The first beta event for CCP's free-to-play EVE Online tie-in for the PlayStation 3 kicks off this weekend. Players can enter for a chance to play in the beta event at the game's official website, or they can just drop $20 in the PlayStation Store.

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Today (tomorrow in Europe) CCP launches the Mercenary Pack, a set of $20 downloadable content for the upcoming online first-person-shooter that gives potential players, among other things, an all-access pass to official beta events, plus additional play time on off-beta weekends.

Here's what you get for $19.99:

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4,000 Aurum ($20 USD value) - the in-game currency for DUST 514 that you can buy in the PS Store

All Access Beta Pass - allows players to participate in every Beta Event, as well as additional play sessions during off weekends

Or, as I read it, blah, blah, blah, blah All Access Beta Pass.

As a potential player, I take offense at this blatant money grab. I shake my fist in defiance. Then I flatten out my fist and slowly reach for my wallet. Not too fast! I want to make them sweat a little. Maybe I pause, arch an eyebrow, and angle the hand towards my coffee cup instead. I'll get there eventually.